Dhenkanal: A woman was killed by a tusker at Khalibahal village under Kadarsingha Gram Panchayat in Dhenkanal district in wee hours today.

The deceased has been identified as Nirupama Biswal, wife of one Bhagawam Biswal, an owner of an ice-cream factory in the locality.

Sources said when Nirupama was returning from morning walk at around 5.45 AM today, the pachyderm came in front of her, grabbed her with its trunk and later thrashed her against a tree. The woman died on the spot. When Nirupama did not return late in the morning, her husband searched for her and later found her body on the roadside near his house.

Angry over the incident, locals staged a road blockade near Bhalumunda Chhak demanding compensation for the family members of the deceased.

On receiving information, police reached the spot and pacified the angry mob. However, no forest officials had reached the spot till last reports came in.